Is that a real question after seeing that game? I thought he was good coming out but was told his game would never translate to the pros. Kinda looks like he can handle it. Smith will probably work his way back into the line up but now Harbaugh knows what he has on the bench. Smith's day's could be numbered.

It would be stupid for Kubiak to change our QB at this point in the season. Tj Yates can come in for spot duty against Detroit, throw for 7 TDs & run for a couple on his own. & the smart play would still be to start Schaub against the Titans.

Now if Alex Smith is going to be out for three or four games & Kaepernick continues to put on a show as the team wins those four games, then yeah it becomes a little more tricky. Harbaugh has to really have control of his locker room regardless who he picks & puts up in front of his guys.

I remember there was a coach not too long ago who had a similar situation. He went with the wrong guy. It failed, imo, because he didn't have the locker room & they didn't buy into what he was selling.

& the QB he picked, though good, simply didn't add anything to the offense. He could make all the throws, he made good decisions, he wouldn't give the game away, but he didn't give them an advantage.

You'd think I was talking about Wade & Flutie, which fits this scenario to a T, but I'm talking about Del Rio.

It might come down to which of the QBs has the locker rooms support. If the team want Kaepernick, you probably go with him.

You would think. But, I think the coach has got to have the locker room. He's got to be the true leader, not just because he's the coach & they're paid to do what he says, but because there's going to be rough seas ahead.

If the coach isn't the leader, he's going to have dissension regardless which way he chooses. It might start as a few whispers in the locker room, or a few choice statements on the sideline.

This is probably a horrible idea but, why not go with whoever hot right now? I would still keep Smith because he has had some spectacular games (playoffs for example) and also just in case Kapernick has a streak of bad games.

This is probably a horrible idea but, why not go with whoever hot right now? I would still keep Smith because he has had some spectacular games (playoffs for example) and also just in case Kapernick has a streak of bad games.

It sounds like no big deal for us. But it's a pretty dramatic change for any club. If there were an injury, it's ok. Everybody will understand, everybody will buy in. But for something like this, where Alex Smith is ready to play... who knows.

Something as small as an incomplete pass could snowball into a situation that will unravel the whole locker room. Imagine Kaepernick tries to correct Vernon Davis on a route. Vernon barks back that Colin should learn the play-book before he tries to correct him..... & it goes on & on & on... & they are one & done in the play-offs, if they make it.

Of course, he could be that spark that gets them all the way to the Super Bowl as well.. but I didn't think they were needing a spark.

kaepernick again this week. i cant say i agree with this route, not during what could be a deep playoff run. kaepernick may end up being the better player, or may be better already, but why would you warm up a rookie for the playoffs (thus taking reps away from smith) when the odds of post season success are much higher with your veteran?

kaepernick again this week. i cant say i agree with this route, not during what could be a deep playoff run. kaepernick may end up being the better player, or may be better already, but why would you warm up a rookie for the playoffs (thus taking reps away from smith) when the odds of post season success are much higher with your veteran?

I agree with that. Mainly because Alex Smith was a big reason they got to the NFC Championship game last year.

I know inexperienced QBs like Rothlisbeger & Brady got it done. But Rothlisberger had more experience than Kaepernick does now.... Rothlisberger went to the AFC Championship the year before right? & Brady is a once in a lifetime thing.

Alex Smith would be the safe bet. But I don't get to see Kaepernick in practice everyday. However, most young QBs will struggle somewhere during the year & I'd hate for that to happen to my young QB during the play-offs when I have someone I think could get me there & win Like Alex Smith.

I agree with that. Mainly because Alex Smith was a big reason they got to the NFC Championship game last year.

I know inexperienced QBs like Rothlisbeger & Brady got it done. But Rothlisberger had more experience than Kaepernick does now.... Rothlisberger went to the AFC Championship the year before right? & Brady is a once in a lifetime thing.

Alex Smith would be the safe bet. But I don't get to see Kaepernick in practice everyday. However, most young QBs will struggle somewhere during the year & I'd hate for that to happen to my young QB during the play-offs when I have someone I think could get me there & win Like Alex Smith.

Harbaugh QB'd for what, 15 seasons in the NFL? Seems to me he'd have an eye for what's going on during practice and all the drills that go on every day in reference to the QBs. I talked to football buds and beat the table for him when he was coming out and all I heard was the ol' "He came from a Spread O and will never translate to the Pros. I sprayed 'em because I thought he was miles and miles ahead of Locker, Goldielocks and Ryan Mallett who a bunch of folks were high on. I thought he was the best of the bunch followed by Christian Ponder.

kaepernick again this week. i cant say i agree with this route, not during what could be a deep playoff run. kaepernick may end up being the better player, or may be better already, but why would you warm up a rookie for the playoffs (thus taking reps away from smith) when the odds of post season success are much higher with your veteran?

Because Smith was never Harbaugh's guy. Harbaugh drafted Kaepernick to be his QB for the future. Once he threw Kaepernick into the fire and produced, the future is now. The Niners were never going to keep Smith in 2013, so why not give your future QB the reins? Smith has never been more than a game manager. Kaepernick has potential through the roof. Harbaugh is certainly making the right call

i completely understand the sentiment. kaepernick is likely MUCH more talented and is who harbaugh picked, but to me it seems unnecessarily rushed. talent is one thing, but in the playoffs experience is a much more critical factor IMO. the future is not now ... NOW is now. you have a great running game, an elite defense and a veteran quarterback who's excelling in your system with very few turnovers ... and you'd trust a rookie quarterback instead?

ask wade phillips who the 49'ers should start ... i bet he'd love to face a rookie qb in the postseason.

i completely understand the sentiment. kaepernick is likely MUCH more talented and is who harbaugh picked, but to me it seems unnecessarily rushed. talent is one thing, but in the playoffs experience is a much more critical factor IMO. the future is not now ... NOW is now. you have a great running game, an elite defense and a veteran quarterback who's excelling in your system with very few turnovers ... and you'd trust a rookie quarterback instead?

ask wade phillips who the 49'ers should start ... i bet he'd love to face a rookie qb in the postseason.

I think people forget how close the 49ers are to a Championship. That team got much closer than the Texans did & they're using the same formula. Alex Smith isn't "Matt Schaub" but Kaepernick isn't Tom Brady either.

Alex has been playing well. The 49ers are exactly where they are supposed to be. They are on track to get to the Super Bowl.

Throw Kaepernick in there's no telling how that will alter their course. For the better..... maybe. Throwing in an extra monkey wrench.... most likely.

After the season, I'd go Kaepernick all the way. Even if they win the Super Bowl (which they won't, because we will) if Kaepernick is "Harbaugh's guy"

I think people forget how close the 49ers are to a Championship. That team got much closer than the Texans did & they're using the same formula. Alex Smith isn't "Matt Schaub" but Kaepernick isn't Tom Brady either.

Alex has been playing well. The 49ers are exactly where they are supposed to be. They are on track to get to the Super Bowl.

Throw Kaepernick in there's no telling how that will alter their course. For the better..... maybe. Throwing in an extra monkey wrench.... most likely.

After the season, I'd go Kaepernick all the way. Even if they win the Super Bowl (which they won't, because we will) if Kaepernick is "Harbaugh's guy"

Agree with this.

I think Kaepernick is a better QB, gives them more flexibility and he can change a game. My issue is that no one has really game planned for him yet. Once that happens and he gets into some hostile playoff games, how is he going to react?Your putting your SB talented team on the line with a rookie right now?Alex Smith isn't special but he has been in big games and was 2 muffed punt returns away from a SB.